Mr. John Nelson Quarles

John Nelson Quarles, age 81, passed away after a long illness on December 10, 2016 surrounded by his family. He was born October 4, 1935 in Choctaw County, Mississippi and spent his childhood and formative years in the Panhandle Community of Choctaw County, Mississippi. John graduated from Weir High School in 1955 and enlisted in the United States Army where he served his country for 3 years in a classified military occupational specialty. He then served in the Mississippi Army National Guard with Battery A, 2nd Howitzer Battalion, 114th Artillery. After an honorable discharge, he returned home and married his high school sweetheart, Martha Morgan, on December 21, 1958. The couple first moved to Jackson and eventually made their home in Florence, Mississippi in 1967. He worked as a Journeyman sheet metal worker and was a member of Sheet Metal Workers Local 406 Union until his retirement in 1986. John was an active member of Briar Hill Baptist Church where he served as church trustee, deacon, building committee member and in other capacities. A skilled horseman, John rode and trained horses and served as a director and officer on several boards for local and state horse clubs and associations. An avid outdoorsman, he looked forward to deer season every year and especially enjoyed raising beagle dogs for rabbit hunting. He collected knives of all kinds, and enjoyed crafting them as a side hobby. Most of all John loved his family, and particularly looked forward to hosting his family and friends every year on Easter Sunday. John will be remembered for his straightforward quick wit, kind heart, sense of humor, and most of all as a loving husband, father, grandfather, uncle and friend to many. John is survived by his wife of over 57 years, Martha Morgan Quarles; son Brent Nelson Quarles and his wife, Kimberly Hankins Quarles of Florence; daughter Lori Dale Quarles of Madison; two grandsons, Dustin Nelson Quarles of Jackson; and Cody Earl Quarles and his wife, Kara Lay Quarles of Florence. He is also survived by his 6 siblings, Sybil Rabun of Vicksburg; David Quarles of Florence; Shirley Goodin of Indian Town, Florida; Roy Clayton Quarles of Vicksburg; Janice Riddle of Crystal Springs; Judy Bane of Florence; brother and sister-in-law Floyd and Linda Morgan of McCool; 21 nieces and nephews; and over 50 great nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents, John Coy Quarles and Correin McDaniel Quarles. Visitation will be held at Briar Hill Baptist Church in Florence on Monday, December 12th from 5-8 p.m. and Tuesday, December 13th from 10-11 a.m., with service and interment to follow at 11:00 a.m. Pallbearers are John Henry, John Johnson Jr., Justin Pettway, Eric Smith, Darrin Stevenson, and James Freeman Webb. Fellow members of his King James Sunday School Class are honorary pallbearers. Memorials may be made to the Briar Hill Baptist Church Building Fund.